Belize City, Belize, October 2, 2026 – The Government of Belize, BELTRAIDE, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) celebrated the achievements of participants in the Talent Up Belize Skills Advancement initiative during an event held at the Lord Ashcroft Building at the Fort George Hotel.
Talent Up Belize, a flagship initiative under the IDB’s América en el Centro program, delivered in partnership with Google Skills. The initiative equips Belizeans with globally recognized certifications in Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics supporting a future-ready workforce and strengthening the country’s digital economy.
A key milestone highlighted during the celebration was the successful launch of the Generative AI Leader Certification, which attracted more than 145 registered participants. This achievement represents a first of its kind, significant step in expanding access to specialized digital skills training in Belize and the wider Central American region.
The event featured remarks from Ms. Karla González, IDB Country Representative, Mrs. Narda Garcia, Chief Executive Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, Investment and Civil Aviation and Mr. Ishmael Quiroz, Executive Director of BELTRAIDE. Attendees also viewed presentations highlighting the program’s achievements, future impact and testimonials from beneficiaries in academia and the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector.
As one of the first countries in the region to establish a dedicated focus on BPO 2.0 under the Talent Up initiative, Belize is advancing its transition toward higher-value digital services and creating a pipeline of certified professionals ready to support the growth of the country’s digital economy.
Narda Garcia Chair of BELTRAIDE and Chief Executive Officer in the Office of the Prime Minister, Investment and Civil Aviation, stated: “The Government of Belize is committed to investing in our people and preparing Belizeans for the opportunities of a rapidly changing digital economy. Talent Up Belize is a practical expression of that commitment, bringing government, industry, academia, and development partners together to strengthen digital skills, support the growth of our BPO sector, and position Belize to attract new investment and higher-value opportunities. Our greatest asset is our people, and by equipping Belizeans with the skills they need to succeed, we are investing in the future competitiveness and prosperity of our country.”
The celebration concluded with the presentation of awards to the participants and special recognition to the program’s top three beneficiaries. Looking ahead, the initiative will continue to support the development of specialized talent in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Cloud Engineering, and Enterprise Technology.
Karla Gonzalez, IDB Country Representative for Belize, stated. “The success of Talent Up Belize is measured by the opportunities it creates for people across the country. These graduates are developing skills in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data analytics, positioning themselves to participate in Belize’s growing digital economy. Just a few months ago, we launched the program. Today, Talent Up Belize is a reality”
Ishmael Quiroz, Executive Director of BELTRAIDE, stated: “At BELTRAIDE, we are proud to support Talent Up Belize and help connect Belizeans with relevant, globally recognized digital skills. We look forward to expanding these opportunities across sectors and communities.”
Through the continued collaboration of BELTRAIDE, the IDB, Google Skills, and the Government of Belize, Talent Up Belize is contributing to the development of a skilled workforce aligned with industry needs. This investment in human capital supports Belize’s digital transformation, strengthens its competitiveness, and creates new opportunities for innovation, employment, and investment.
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